Vacationing in Topsail Island, North Carolina  
by Jennifer Weiss

Topsail Island is a 26-miles barrier island located off the coast of North Carolina approximately forty miles north of Wilmington. Consisting of three communities, North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach, this island is known for its thick forests, beautiful beaches, and an abundance of delicate turtles. A quiet, preserved place where nature is at its finest, Topsail Island is the ideal vacation destination to escape from it all and enjoy some of the finest surroundings in North Carolina.

North Topsail Beach is located in the northernmost part of the island and is generally considered the residential part of the beach. Since there are only two restaurants in this community, most visitors either make their way south to Surf City or back to the mainland town of Sneads Ferry for shopping and entertainment. However, the North Topsail Beach portion of the Topsail Island is the best place for fishing, so keep your eyes peeled from a prime on shore spot or for a charter company that can take you into these choice waters for a prized catch.

In addition to the amazing fishing, North Topsail Beach is also home to New River Inlet and Stump Sound, where you will find an abundance of cracked and broken trees, clams, oysters, and shrimp. For those seeking serenity and adventure, this is the best place to head for a calming atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and various marine life. The best way to navigate through this area is via kayak or canoe, which will also give you easy access to the many passages that will take you to the sound and out to the ocean.

Situated on the center of the island and extending into the mainland, Surf City is the business center and commercial hub of the island. Here you will find numerous restaurants and shopping outlets to satisfy your hunger and your quest for the perfect souvenir to remember your vacation by. One restaurant that is an absolute must for any visitor to the island is Indigo Marsh, which offers a wide selection of fresh seafood, prime cuts, and freshly baked bread and pastries. Sitting on the Intracoastal Waterway, this casual fine dining restaurant offers elegance and ambiance after a long day soaking in the sun at Surf City's beautiful beaches.

Maintaining and protecting the environment are of highest concern for those in Topsail Beach. This family-oriented beach community strives to preserve the beauty of the area for future visitors by prohibiting high rise buildings and conserving one of the best qualities of the town. The Topsail Turtle Project locates and monitors young loggerhead turtles until they can make their way out to sea, while the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle cares for and rehabilitates injured sea turtles until they are healthy enough to return to the ocean. There are turtle walks where visitors can learn how to protect turtles, and one of the highlights of any trip to Topsail Island is a visit to the Turtle Hospital, as it is affectionately called.

Staying on Topsail Island is an excellent choice if you want to surround yourself with unprecedented beauty that is not contaminated by the growth and development that plagues many great vacation destinations. Whichever part of the island you decide to stay in, you will find an abundance of Topsail Island vacation rentals that have all the amenities you need for an amazing and fulfilling adventure. Begin your search today for the perfect vacation rental in a secluded hideaway or near a pristine beach, and you certainly will not be disappointed.

About the Author

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Topsail Island vacation rentals for your next trip to Coastal North Carolina.

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